When it comes to finding a balanced cocktail that combines intricate and unexpected ingredients, look no further than this cocktail made with Highland Park Scotch whisky. Highland Park offers a flavor profile of rich, fruity, aromas intertwined with intense floral peaty notes. Born in the Orkney Islands, this wind battered yet beautifully mild climate makes a complex whisky like no other.
Below, we spoke with Jamal Blake-Williams of Harper & Rye who crafted a delicious Highland Park cocktail that highlights the harmony of the wild elements found in the whisky’s unique island home.
How did you design the cocktail?
Whenever creating a cocktail I like to imagine the time of year it is and what I want to be drinking during this time. Moving into the dog days of summer drinking scotch isn’t something that I would be immediately drawn to. I wanted to make something refreshing, sweet, sour and well balanced and honestly these are the flavors they sounded good to me.
How do you drink your Highland Park?
I drink Highland Park as I do most brown spirits neat or over a cube of ice. Balanced flavors and smooth texture.
Where do you find your inspirations for what you do? How does San Francisco impact that?
My inspirations come from all around. With a background in fashion but a love for architecture I am constantly in search of new creative ways to tell the story of what's going on in my head. With a wife who is a creative and vast amount of friends and family who are and most are entrepreneurs it's always helpful to ask questions and discuss ideas no matter how grand or small. San Francisco, although now known for the tech industry, was long before a hub for creative minds. All you have to do is walk some few blocks and there will be inspiration and beauty all around. I love my city for this.
What are you most excited about in the year ahead?
As a new father, fatherhood excites me most. As an entrepreneur who was forced to shutter our doors I am excited to get back to what I do best and hopefully continue to build on what my partners and I have created.
Whiskey Two Ways
1oz Highland Park 12 Year Old
.5oz Bourbon
.5oz cut honey
.5oz fresh lemon
All shaken poured into a collins glass over ice topped with sparkling apple juice, garnished with a lemon wheel
Try this cocktail at Harper & Rye, 1695 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109. To learn more about Highland Park and where to buy your own bottle, visit HERE.
Photography by: Drew Altizer Photography
